Do you have ‘selfitis’? The obsessive need to post selfies is a ‘genuine mental disorder’ – here’s how you can test yourself

Selfitis makes a person feel compelled to constantly take photos and post them on social media, psychologists say

Andrea Downey

15 Dec 2017, 13:17

Updated: 16 Dec 2017, 18:07

ARE you obsessed with taking selfies?

Chances are you might have "selfitis" - a genuine mental condition that makes a person feel compelled to constantly take photos and post them on social media, psychologists say.

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Feeling an obsessive need to post selfies on social media is a genuine mental condition, psychologists sayCredit: Getty - Contributor

The term has been around since 2014 to describe obsessive selfie-taking but has not been backed by science until now.

Researchers from Nottingham Trent University and Thiagarajar School of Management investigated the term and discovered six motivating factors in Experts have even developed a "Selfitis Behaviour Scale" to asses how badly a person has to conditionwere involved.

Those who suffer from selfitis are generally seeking to boost their confidence, seek attention, improve their mood, make memories, conform with their social group and be socially competitive.

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Those who post lots of pictures are seeking to build their confidence and compete sociallyCredit: Getty - Contributor

Experts have even developed a "Selfitis Behaviour Scale" to asses how badly a person has to condition.

The scale, which runs from one to 100, was based on a focus group of 200 people from India.

The focus group was held in India because the country has the highest number of Facebook users and also the highest number of deaths from trying to take a selfie in a dangerous location.

Dr Mark Griffiths, a professor of behavioural addiction at Nottingham Trent University, said: "A few years ago, stories appeared in the media claiming that the condition of selfitis was to be classed as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association.

"Whilst the story was revealed to be a hoax, it didn’t mean that the condition of selfitis didn’t exist.

"We have now appeared to confirm its existence and developed the world’s first Selfitis Behaviour Scale to assess the condition."

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Experts have even developed a "Selfitis Behaviour Scale" to asses how badly a person has to conditionCredit: Getty - Contributor

His colleague Dr Janarthanan Balakrishnan added: "Typically, those with the condition suffer from a lack of self-confidence and are seeking to 'fit in' with those around them, and may display symptoms similar to other potentially addictive behaviours.

"Now the existence of the condition appears to have been confirmed, it is hoped that further research will be carried out to understand more about how and why people develop this potentially obsessive behaviour, and what can be done to help people who are the most affected."

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